STORYLINE: A celebration of the most iconic – and much missed – homegrown star of the 21st century, BACK TO BLACK tells the extraordinary tale of Amy Winehouse. Painting a vivid, vibrant picture of the Camden streets she called home and capturing the struggles of global fame, BACK TO BLACK honours Amy’s artistry, wit, and honesty, as well as trying to understand her demons. An unflinching look at the modern celebrity machine and a powerful tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent.

   One thing about seeing films about musicians in theaters, instead of streaming, is the viewer gets to listen to the music that is woven into the story  blasted on the surround sound. As someone who prefers the storytelling aspect of film this part takes a back burner for me but I still appreciate being engulfed by all aspects of the cinematic experience.  That includes music and it adds a positive note to my experience, especially when seeing a film about someone as talented as Amy Winehouse.  

    I passed an enjoyable evening watching Back to B,ack.  What I enjoyed most about the movie was how the music did not dominate the movie.  Instead the life events dominated the story, as they should in a biopic. If I am watching a Rogers and Hammerstein musical I would expect the reverse. 

     While Back to Black told its story well, it did not grab me the way the 2015 Academy Award winning documentary Amy did.  The documentary packed more of an emotional puch than the biopic did.  Part of me wonders how much of that is because Amy came first and got to set the bar.  Than again the Amy Winehouse story is a tragic one that sets itself up for a gut wrenching dramatic film. Back to Black, just fell short of its mark.  However Director Sam Taylor+Johnson has improved her directing skills since her 2015 release of 50 Shadrs of Grey.

    Until next time I will see you at the movies!